This is a garden only metres from the sea, built on the roof of the house below. The garden is conceived as a 'gift' to passers by rather than a garden in the conventional sense: although private property, it is in effect a public view, and the planting is designed to enhance rather than restrict this. The house is a strikingly modern building by de Blacam and Meagher architects, visible from the sea and also to passers by, where the 'garden' appears like a glorified beach a few metres above sea level. Our concept was to create an artificial 'beach' using Wexford beach pebbles and sea shells, of all different sizes, arranged in sweeps as if deposited by the tide. Planting is directly into this surface, and the palette of plants is severely restricted to those tolerant of salt-laden winds, shallow soil and generally difficult conditions. It also provides an ideal area for planting unusually tender plants as it is so close to the sea. Plants include Pseudopanax ferox, Echium, Agapanthus, Eryngium, Euphorbia and many other plant species.
Planting, construction and maintenance: Howbert and Mays
Architects: de Blacam and Meagher
Perennials and annuals suited to the harsh conditions of shallow soil and salt-laden Easterly winds include Anthemis 'E.C. Buxton', Centranthus ruber, Eryngium species, Armeria maritima and Cosmos.
